LAS VEGAS, NV (July 4, 2023)—The Las Vegas Aces (15-1) take on the Dallas Wings (8-8) on Wednesday, July 5 at 7 pm PT at Michelob ULTRA Arena before traveling to Texas for a July 7 rematch (4 pm PT). An Aces win in either game, coupled with a Minnesota Commissioner’s Cup loss, will clinch the top seed in the Western Conference in the CC for Las Vegas. The July 5 contest is being broadcast on the Silver State Sports & Entertainment Network and on the radio on ESPN Las Vegas, while the July 7 game will be nationally televised on ION and across the local airwaves on KRLV 98.9 FM and 1340 AM.

• Game Notes

The Aces are 6-0 in Commissioner’s Cup games this season and Dallas and Minnesota trail by 2.5 games with identical 4-3 records.

Las Vegas is currently on an 8-game winning streak which is tied for the third longest in franchise history. The Aces have not lost at home (9-0) this year, and their current 14-game home winning streak is the longest in franchise history. Las Vegas has scored 90+ points in all but 3 games this season and is averaging a league-high 93.7 points per game—the second-highest average in league history. Only the 2010 (93.9 ppg) Phoenix Mercury have averaged more in a season. Las Vegas also is outscoring opponents by 15.6 points on the year, which is the largest scoring differential through 16 games in WNBA history.

As a team, the Aces boast the most efficient offense (114.1) and defense (94.5) in the league. They lead the league in scoring (93.7 ppg), blocks (5.4 bpg), field goal percentage (.503), assists-to-turnovers (1.82), and points in the paint (41.0); while averaging 22.7 apg (2nd), shooting 37.2% (2nd) from 3-point range and 82.5% (4th) from the line. They have the best defensive rebound percentage in the league (.741), and rank fourth in the WNBA in overall rebound percentage (.515).

The five Aces starters are averaging between 9.1 and 19.6 points a game, with A’ja Wilson leading the pack at 19.6 ppg and 9.3 rpg. Jackie Young is averaging a career-high 19.0 ppg, along with 3.4 apg; Kelsey Plum contributes 17.6 ppg and 4.0 apg; Chelsea Gray adds 14.1 ppg and 6.4 apg; and Candace Parker rounds out the starters with 9.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3.9 apg and 1.6 spg. Young (.568), Wilson (.536) and Gray (.509) are all ranked in the top 10 in the league in field goal percentage, while Young (.473) and Gray (.463) are 2nd and 4th respectively from beyond the arc.

Dallas is ranked in the middle of the pack in both offensive (101.6, 6th) and defensive efficiency (99.9, 6th), while leading the WNBA in both overall rebound percentage (.533) and offensive rebound percentage (.352). Their Achilles heel, however, is in the shooting department where they rank 11th in the W in field goal percentage (.413) and last from distance (.291).

Individually, Dallas is led by Arike Ogunbowale’s 22.1 ppg and 4.4 apg, Satou Sabally is averaging 19.1 ppg and 10.4 rpg and Natasha Howard is the third Wing scoring in double figures at 16.6 ppg, while also grabbing 7.7 rpg.

The Aces own a 36-34 all-time edge over the Wings and have won 10 of the past 11 meetings between the two clubs.

The Wings picked up the most recent victory, 82-80 in Dallas, which was the Aces’ last loss of the 2022 season. The Aces fell behind 24-17 after the first quarter and, despite a game-high 28 points from Gray, were unable fully close the gap. Also scoring in double figures for the Aces were Young (19 points), Plum (15) and Wilson (12). Teaira McCowan (21 points, 16 rebounds) led Dallas and Marina Mabrey (15 points) is the lone remaining Wing who scored 10+ points that day, and Ogunbowale and Sabally were listed as inactive.

NEXT OPPONENT

Dallas—See above.